Instead of relying upon junk mail or television ads developed by paid-for hire campaign consultants, this book empowers readers to keep their own score in evaluating the performance and promises of the two major candidates for the presidency of the United States.

This is the only book currently on the market that allows readers to compare and contrast the records of President George W. Bush and Senator Kerry on pressing issues such as jobs and the economy; national security; foreign policy; education; family values; and the environment. Readers will grade how well Bush and Kerry have lived up to the principles and ideals of patriotism as defined by our Founding Fathers and other patriots over the past two centuries.

Published by The Patriot Press of Santa Rosa, California, The Patriot Test is also unique in that it allows Christian voters to explore the links between the patriotic principles and Christian values that have shaped current and historic political debates in this country. As the introduction Â entitled ÂPatriotism, Piety and PoliticsÂ Â points out, "Ever since the founding of the Republic, citizens have bonded to these cherished principles: freedom of speech and religion; due process and equal protection under the law; universal access to education; economic security; and, an ability, through hard work and ingenuity, to seek a better life. These ideas gave Lincoln the right to claim that America might yet be the 'last best hope' for people everywhere. They inspired Justice Hugo Black to declare that America's patriotic idealism was 'a Constitutional faith'. We have faith that our government will function according to these principles and to the articles in the Constitution that specify a separation of powers, institutional checks and balances, and free and fair elections. The question for you to decide is whether or not these principles are being followed by the actions of our presidential candidates."

This book is non-partisan in the truest sense of the word. The authors, assistant editors and researchers, each coming from a variety of political, business, religious and party backgrounds, have collaborated to accurately portray the political voting records and campaign promises of Bush and Kerry. Because the book was completed in August, 2004, it contains the most up-to-date information including 240 footnoted sources about issues such as the economy, Iraq, health care and children, clean air and water, and independence from foreign oil.

Author Biographies

Peter Asmus is an author, consultant and journalist specializing in political reform, corporate social responsibility and energy and environmental issues. His three books include: In Search of Environmental Excellence: Moving Beyond Blame (Simon & Schuster, 1990), Reinventing Electric Utilities: Competition, Citizen Action and Clean Power (Island Press, 1997), and Reaping The Wind: How Mechanical Wizards, Visionaries and Profiteers Helped Shape Our Energy Future (Island Press, 2001). His clients include University of Southern California, Coors Brewing Company, General Electric, and the AHC Group, which works with Fortune 500 companies.

Fred Krueger is a former Soviet intelligence analyst for the National Security Agency and a campaign manager and fundraiser for the Republican National Committee. An Orthodox Christian, Krueger has authored several books on religion, including A Cloud of Witnesses (Wipf & Stock, 2002), The LordÂs House (McAllister House, 1995) and several other books and publications focused on applying biblical principles to modern-day policy debates.

Warren Linney is a telecom executive and former CEO of Cellular One of Western Illinois and Wireless Plus, Inc. He holds a B.A in Economics from University of California, Davis and a M.A. in Education from Stanford University. He is also featured in the Forbes magazine in an article on charitable giving.

About Patriotic Press, Inc.

Founded in 2004, the main intention of the Patriotic Press is to reinvigorate the process of democracy in America. No matter who is elected this November, the challenges facing America require a return to the patriotic fervor that stirred so many so long ago.

It may astonish most Americans to learn that the world's oldest democracy is also among the most complacent. According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, the US ranks 139th in voter turnout if one looks at national elections that have taken place since the end of World War II. During that time period, only 48.3% of eligible voters in the United States participated in their democratic rights and duties. Americans lag behind not only countries such as Italy (92.5%) and Germany (80.6%), but Bosnia (82.8%) and Nicaragua (62%). The last time over 60% of Americans voted for the next president of the US was in 1968. Democracy does not take place in a vacuum; it requires the participation of its citizens. It is not only a privilege, but an honor and a duty to cast your ballot.

You can share this book with your neighbors. Use it as a discussion tool among your fellow churchgoers, work mates or family members. Don't tell people how to vote, but rather use The Patriot Test as an education tool to allow them to make up their own minds. Volunteer in your local community to register voters or to distribute information that will motivate others to also vote as well. The recently formed U.S. Election Assistance Committee (EAC) provides the National Voter Registration Application (http://www.eac.gov/docs/nvra.pdf). Please register and vote.

The book is available for sale at Amazon.com and other book distributors and the company's web site, http://www.patriottest.org. For more information, contact Patriotic Press, Inc. (800) 732-0860, info@patriottest.org